Russia offers affordable alternative to obtain Oil and Gas Training for Students from developing countries

May 30, 2016 12:00 AM

Following the numerous hydrocarbon discoveries in East Africa stakeholders in the industry have had to seek training and capacity building in traditional training hubs for oil and gas mostly in Scotland while others have ended up in North America.

This is as it emerges that various requisite skills for development are lacking in the region even with pre-development works already on course. Just last week it emerged that just four certified welders and 1300 certified electricians indicating the dire need to create capacity.

Already several countries have pledged to offer the region assistance in training through MoU’s and other training agreements between governments and learning institutions among them: United Kingdom, Norway, China and India.

Whilst most of those studying are on government and international oil companies sponsored scholarships, individuals paying their own tuition might have to look to more affordable markets such as Russia.

Russia is especially a convincing location considering that the country is the world’s largest producer of crude oil and the second-largest producer of dry natural gas. Russia also produces significant amounts of coal.

Russia’s economy is also highly dependent on its hydrocarbons, and oil and natural gas revenues account for more than 50% of the federal budget revenues hence a commitment to high standards in training to sustain a qualified workforce.

Several world’s largest Oil and Gas Giant Companies are Russian including: Rosneft, Lukoil, Surgutneftegaz, Gazprom Neft and Tatneft, and many others

Russia offers a large number of universities a majority of which have state status all of which use an internationally recognized syllabus and are maintained and funded by the government. Historically Soviet Union supported African countries and offered education to bright students willing to obtain international experiences. Jomo Kenyatta , former president of Kenya, studied in Moscow in 1932!

One reason as to why studying in Russia is especially affordable as compared to other European states is because the government has a policy subsidizing up to 40 percent of school fees for students from developing countries such as Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Mozambique.

Apart from the low tuition fees for such courses in Russia that are as low as $1100 these countries are also easier to access as opposed to the United Kingdom or the United States that have stringent visa requirements and costs with no guarantees whatsoever.

Russia also offers affordable accommodation and medical insurance as compared to its neighbors with hostel accommodation less than $100 a month and insurance of less than $200 annually.

Among top universities in Russia include the Volgograd State Technical University, North Caucasian State Universities for Mining and Metallurgy, Federal University of North Caucasus, People’s Friendship University of Russia, South Federal University among others.

Among courses offered include: drilling technology, maintenance of oil and gas equipment, pipeline transport systems, petroleum chemistry, biotechnology, among other specialties. Other specialties are also available to study in Russia on request.